Inventory indicator



Dec. 12, 1950' A. GEL'B 2,533,883

INVENTORY INDICATOR Filed April 13, 1948 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Dec. 12, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INVENTORY INDICATOR Abe ,Ge h, New Rochelle, N. Y,

Application April "13, 1948, Serial N 0. 20,735

2lQlaims. (Cl. 116133) The present invention relates to devices to show quantity of material wound on a board, reel or spool, or contained in a box, so that inventory of stock at hand may be readily ascertainable of each item.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved device .to show the length of material wound on a board, reel or spool, as for instance of bolts of cloth, fabrics, laces, ribbons, tapes, trimmings, ropes, belting or the like, or of the quantity of articles in a receptacle, as in a paper box or the like, which is manually set to a new reading each time any of the material is cut off or otherwise removed, and though roughly dealt with in handling, will not loosen to upset the reading.

A further object is to provide a novel and improved device of the character mentioned, which is securely attachable and easily detachable from the winding board, box or the like, or the merchandise itself, if such manner of use is necessary.

Another object hereof is to provide a device of the type mentioned, which is easy to use,

simple in structure, cheap to manufacture and efiicient in carrying out the purposes for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this disclosure proceeds.

Fig. 1 is a perspective View showing a device embodying the teachings of this invention, as used in connection with a board on which a substantial length of a lace or similar trimming, is wound.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken at lines 2-2 in Fig. 1, showing how the device securely attaches itself to the board, and yet is easily removeable.

Fig. 3 shows the face of one of the number wheels included in said device.

Fig. 4 shows a development of the blank used to form the body component of the said device.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 2, but of a slightly modified form of body component for said device.

Fig. 6 shows a development of the blank used to form such modified body structure.

In the drawings, the device indicated generally by the numeral I5, is used to show the quality, as for instance the length of lace I6, wound on board ll. Said device comprises a body member formed of sheet material on which are rotatably mounted a plurality of coplanar number wheels or discs I9, 20 and 2 I, the perimetral edges of which are preferably serrated, as at 22. The

body member I8 is preferably made of springy material, as metal or plastic sheeting, and its blank I3 may be rectangular, folded in half to form a U-clamp for the board I l. The edges of the plies of said body member i8, may be folded inwardly as at 23 and 2%, or in any other suitable manner to afford smooth entrance of the board I! between the plies of the body member 18. Said body member is provided with slots 25, .26 and 21, which serve as windows for viewinga numeral of a series printed on each of the number discs I9, :29 and 2.I. All of the number wheels are mounted on individual eyelets or the like on one of the plies of the body member, while the other ply is formed with projections or teats 28 and 29, which when the device is mounted on the board I1, will enter respectively holes as for instance 30 and 3|, which are through the board I'l, one set of such holes at each longitudinal edge thereof, so that the device may be mounted on said board at predetermined positions. In the blank I8, note the slots 32, t3 and 35 through which segments of the respective number discs may project to be accessible for manual manipulation. The notations on one of said number wheels may be a series of fractions, so that the yardage may be so indicated. The reading of the device in Fig. 1, indicates 27 yards. It is also to be noted thatwhen the device I5 is mounted on the board, said board lends friction against the number wheels is, 2d and it, so that their setting is not disturbed by ordinary handling of the lace and board.

The blank I8 shown in Fig. 6, is for the modified form of body indicated generally by the numeral 38. Here the blank is bent to form a three-ply S-shaped item, where the number wheels lie between two of the plies, one of which is the middle ply, while said middle ply and the third ply of body member 38, serves as the clamp to receive the board Il. Teats, one of which is shown in Fig. 5, and indicated in the blank by the numerals 28 and 29' are included for the purpose hereinbefore described. All the cut outs in the blank 38, are marked the prime numbers of those they are akin to in Fig. 4. The plies of body member 38, between which the number Wheels are mounted, are in frictional contact therewith, to maintain said wheels in any set positions.

The indicating device I 5 though shown mounted on board I1 having lace, ribbon or in suitable dimension, cloth wound thereon, may be similarly mounted on the rim edge of a box containing merchandise or articles of various kinds, or may be directly mounted on the cloth, or on the end of rope or chain, if such be the goods on which said device is to be used. 7

In use as shown in Fig. l, the wheels is, 2!] and 2!, are initially set to show the yardage of the material iii on the board. If any is cut off, as when a quantity of said lace is sold, the number wheels are reset to show the yardage then remaining. Hence perpetual inventory is maintainable. The notation on the number wheels is of a nature suitable to the specific purpose for which said devices are employed, and such use will determine the number of number or other nomenclature wheels, the device shall have. v

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applications without departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It

is therefore intended and desired that the em indicate the scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, to be mounted on a board, comprising a body memberof springy sheet material bent into at least a first ply and a second ply to form a U-clamp 30 adapted to grip the board and at least one disc having numerical notations thereon, positioned between the plies of said clamp, spaced from the first ply, flat against the second of said plies and rotatably mounted on the body member, whereupon insertion of said board between the plies of the clamp formed and between said disc and the first ply of the body member, said board will be gripped thereby and will frictionally contact said disc, holding same against accidental rotation with respect to the body member; one of the plies of the body memberbeing provided with an opening through which indicia on the disc is exposed to view. 7

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the board is provided with a socket and one of the plies forming the clamp is provided with a protuberance extending towards the other ply of said clamp, whereupon insertion of the board between the pliesof the clamp, said board will be gripped thereby and the protuberance will enter the socket, whereby the plies of the clamp need be manuallyspread apart to release'the board.

ABE GELB.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Paul Jan. '19, 1937 

